Numbers (CD) [Explicit]

MellowHype

Amoeba Review

Billy Gil 10/08/2012

Duo MellowHype have both the blessing and curse of being part of Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, a generally brilliant, if hyped, collective of artists that MellowHype members Hodgy Beats and Left Brain helped found. The good is that MellowHype’s excellence as no-bullshit rappers is recognized among those who know them; the bad is that many don’t, as Odd Future in general tends to overshadow its members, outside of Frank Ocean and Tyler, the Creator. Numbers could help rectify that, as its expansive 16 tracks show the breadth of work Hodgy Beats and Left Brain have to offer. Single “Grill” sticks out for its slow-mo psych-rap weirdness, as the rappers spell out their band name over a smoke-haze backdrop, as does “Astro,” if for the fact that Frank Ocean lends his vocals and some welcome sensitivity to the proceedings. Hip-hop heads should find plenty to chew on though with the rest of the album, as tracks like the nearly seven-minute “65/Breakfast” shifts so smoothly from slow, jazzy rap to a kind of synth-heavy, sexually charged soundscape to an underwater pondering of the afterlife. And that’s just one song, and the second track of the album. “NFWGJDSH” brims with proto-gangsta-rap nostalgia, soundwise, minus the pointless beefs; “La Bonita” is a weirdo Spanish-vibing tribute to Latina beauties; “Monster” puts ’80s soul through the sound wash and spits nasty verse over the results; and Earl Sweatshirt shows up for the sparkling “P2.” Mostly, Numbers doesn’t concern itself with flash. Track titles like “Beat,” “Snare” and “Untitled L” should clue you in, MellowHype are more concerned with producing excellent hip-hop than image-conscious boasting, almost to a fault. Other hip-hop releases may grab you more quickly, but Numbers’ depth and consistency will undoubtedly leave a more lasting impression.